Neighbor near Naples brothel: 'I knew something wasn't right'

ABC7 is learning new information about four brothels busted in Lee and Collier counties.

Authorities said one is in Bonita Springs, one in Naples and two in Immokalee, and all are part of a massive human trafficking ring, according to the attorney general's office.

“I think it's disgusting. I've heard a lot. Sometimes I walk down and I’ve heard screams, and I’ve heard things that didn't sound right, and I’ve seen a lot of things that didn't look right in this area,” Benjamin Davis said.

Davis lives just down the street from the home on Sunshine Boulevard in Naples that authorities said was used as a brothel in a major sex slavery operation. David said he always knew something was up.

“There's just a lot of atmosphere when you see young ladies that don't seem to be happy, don't seem to be free or safe,” Davis said.

People who live near these brothels said they have called police before, but didn't think their concerns were being heard. Little did they know, there was a huge investigation going on.

“It's one of those things that kind of like a shot to the heart, to be honest,” Ivette Galarza said.

Galarza works with children of migrant workers in Immokalee. We told her about Operation Human Freedom, a years-long investigation that identified brothels in the city where she works and other cities around Southwest Florida. Police said women were brought into the US with hopes of a better life and forced into sex slavery.

“I don't think people realize the depth of what is happening when it comes to human trafficking and that it's happening everywhere,” Galarza said.

In the last 10 days, two people have been arrested in Collier County and charged with human trafficking as part of this operation. Ingrid Maradiaga and Miguel Aguilar are both behind bars.